The Yavapai Ranch Land exchange will protect the vast majority of the remaining privately held in-holdings within all Arizona’s national forests from future development. This legislation will preserve an important watershed, wildlife habitats, old growth woodlands, cultural sites and wilderness recreation areas.

Watershed Management and Water Conservation – Protecting this large tract of wilderness forest and native grasslands will preserve a vital watershed above the Verde Valley. The Yavapai Ranch Land Exchange has the net effect of retiring approximately 25,000 acres from potential development, or the equivalent of 10,000 homes. In the Verde Valley communities, residential and commercial developments on the newly privatized lands will be subject to precedent-setting water conservation, water use and water restriction covenants.

This exchange will protect valuable wildlife habitats for antelope, elk, deer, mountain lion and wild turkey.

Wildlife Habitat - The land exchange will create a block of 110 square miles of unfragmented habitat. The Yavapai Ranch lands are prime big-game habitat for populations of pronghorn antelope, elk, deer, wild turkey and mountain lion. One of the last remaining pristine pronghorn habitats in this part of the state will be protected from encroachment.

Woodlands Protection – The Yavapai Ranch lands include the largest stand of privately owned Ponderosa Pine in Arizona, as well as old growth Alligator Juniper and oak woodlands. This woodland includes not only 250 year old Ponderosa but some Alligator Juniper that are more than 850 years old. Through the terms of the agreement, the Forest Service must permanently manage these areas to maintain the existing natural character and values.

Rare pictographs and Native American ruin sites will be protected from encroachment.

Cultural Sites – Parcels entrusted to Forest Service management include the Yavapai Ranch Pictographs and numerous Native American ruins.

Wilderness Recreation - Consolidation of these checkerboard lands will preserve a large contiguous tract adjacent to the Juniper Mesa Wilderness for open space, recreation, hunting, and other wilderness activities.